Descent

Chapter 6

Sleep did not come easily to Mai that evening. She tossed and turned, waking up every few minutes in a cold sweat. The Seed woman could not rest knowing that her baby brother was out there somewhere, alone, injured, or worse. She was lucky when she got thrown from the helicopter, landing in a tangle of vines that kept her from colliding with the ground, preventing her from joining the many deceased members of her family just yet. When she was not anxiously thinking of Malik, her mind drifted to her father. What would he say to her right now? Probably to get her shit together in the most loving way he could. Find Malik and bring him home lest her mother begin planning another funeral so soon.

She sat up from the cot the settlers had generously offered to her in addition to a private room if you could even call it that. Slipping into her now dried clothes, she stepped outside, met with heavy, wet, air that made it difficult to breathe in normally. Never in her worst nightmares did she think she'd be stuck so far from home again. What she would not give to just see her mother. To hear her reassurance that everything was going to be okay.

As she stood against the railing of the walkway, she noticed it's panels shifting ever so slightly. Footsteps on approach. Turning her head slightly, she was met with the sight of Thomas, looking like a child who got caught doing something they were not supposed to.

"Hey." he managed to cough out as he approached.

Mai smiled, acknowledging his greeting as she went back to staring ahead. She could not describe the utter horror she felt when she realized she had nearly gutted the person that she considered to be her best friend. Her heart fluttered being near him again, though, without all the awkwardness of her teenage years. Six years was a long time. He could have found someone in the meantime. She'd never know because she would never ask, knowing the truth would break her heart. After Thomas left Prosperity, she tried to dissolve her childish crush with exclusively physical relationships, Selen being her most recent attempt. Nothing seemed to work though. She could not stop thinking about Thomas Rush: the man who saved her life on multiple occasions, who helped her return home to Hope County, who helped reunite her family. The man she loved.

The odds of them finding each other was astronomically low, yet there they were. That had to mean something right? Together again after so many years apart. She simply wished it was better under better circumstances.

"Some of my guys here were listening in on Highwaymen radio chatter." he spoke up after a few minutes of silence, "The storm brought in an influx of displaced settlers. They're rounding them up and taking them to the Capital."

Mai cocked her head curiously, turning once more to him, "What's the Capital?"

"An old amusement park turned Highwaymen citadel." Rush then scoffed, "Shit, it's more like a fortress to be honest."

Thomas explained how after she had taken out the Highwaymen leaders, the remnants formed smaller, albeit just as ferocious factions. Rumor had it though, one leader did not show up to that fateful victory dinner. A woman known as The Raven or, in some cases, the Queen. From what Thomas came to understand during his time here, she kept to herself, unlike the Twins who roamed the country looking for resources, The Raven did not have to worry about going in search of supplies. Instead, they came to her willingly. From what the settlers told him, she offered protection to those who could pay up, be it in materials or gasoline, and was known for very specific establishments within the park's walls: a brothel and a fight club-esque arena which also took payment in materials and gas albeit at much higher costs.

As the last known Highwaymen leader, she represented a threat to all others who were seeking to make their mark with the current power vacuum, especially when she was sitting on a stockpile of supplies. Thomas explained while it may be good for them in terms of the Highwaymen staying away from various settlements, those who sought shelter at the Capital were caught in the crossfire if things continued the way they were. It explained the map she found on her previous expedition. The group at Alcatraz must have had plans to strike sometime soon prior to her and Roger's raid.

Mai clutched onto the railing, taking a deep breath, unable to shake the feeling that she had inadvertently caused another crisis by killing off the Highwaymen leaders. There was an internal war brewing in this part of the country and Roger and Malik were somewhere out there which a high possibility of getting caught in the crossfire. With a renewed purpose, Mai began walking back to her room, Rush following after her like a lost puppy. She began gathering whatever belongings she had left from falling out of the helicopter. She was lucky she did not lose anything of too much value. She still had the clothes on her back and the beloved knife that Thomas gave her. The only two things she lacked was the knowledge that Roger and Malik were okay. Rush stood in the entryway, looking at her curiously as she got up, attempting to leave.

"What are you doing?"

Mai looked over at him as she sheathed her knife, "Going to get Roger and Malik. You said it yourself you saw them take a man from the helicopter crash. Malik could have been found too."

"Mai," he spoke with an empathetic voice, "You said Malik fell when the helicopter lost control..."

He did not need to continue his statement. Mai raised her hand, silencing him and any worst-case scenario that was getting ready to be released from his mouth.

"Thomas- please." her voice began to quake as she stepped forward, wanting to get out of this tiny room, and out into the open so she could begin her search.

Rush, however, did not seem eager to budge, standing her way, preventing her from leaving. Six years ago, it was she who had to look up to him when they would speak, albeit a small height difference, barely significant. Today, however, it was she who hovered over him and quite frankly, she could move him easily without any qualms. But she wouldn't because she respected him too much to ever lay hands on him in such a way intentionally.

"Rush, I could literally throw you over my shoulder right now and move you without breaking a sweat. Please get out of my way."

The Capital was her best and possibly only lead that she had in finding her brother and friend but Roger was not budging. He crossed his arms, giving her an apprehensive look, "I would not doubt that. Just-just hear me out."

Mai's patience was one aspect about her that did not grow in capacity over the last six years, but she could see in Thomas' eyes that he was being wholeheartedly earnest in what he was attempting to say.

"This isn't Hope County. There's no backup if shit goes sideways. A lot of the people in the Capital are under this Raven lady's protection, for a price of course. If they think they can get a little something extra for turning in trouble makers..." he paused, trying to find a way to continue wording is concerns, "I don't know much else about this Raven other than what I've already told you. She's not a hot head like the Twins but she's just as dangerous from what I gather."

The Seed woman found her impatience slowly dissipating, recognizing Rush's concern, "I take it this is your very long-winded way of telling me to be careful."

"Actually, it was my way of saying you're not doing this alone." he retorted, finally cracking a coy, albeit subtle smile, "Also my way of telling you to be careful."

The coyote could feel the corners of her lips raise as she bit her lower lip, chuckling. Even after six years, nothing has changed. He was still just as protective of her as she was undoubtedly about him. She debated reaching out to him. She wasn't sure what she would be reaching out to. She simply wanted to feel his warmth. The roughness of his hands, his heartbeat, the scratch of his facial hair under her fingertips. But she didn't. As far as she was concerned, he was still her boss. Her best friend.

"Oh, how I've missed you Rush." she uttered softly.

"I missed you too." he replied with equal if not more delicacy.

Mai shifted her weight from one foot to another, clearing her throat to distract herself from the various feelings brewing inside her chest.

"Well then," she said, "Let's get this show on the road."